The Medical Center - WKU Health Sciences Complex is beginning to take shape. The more than 73,000 square foot, $15.6 million facility sits in the tif district.

That means part of the funding comes from new employees hired through the program, making it a feasible option for the university.

"In terms of capital campaign projects for the university our college wasn't in the top priorities. So if this partnership didn't come about we would be looking at trying to continue to use Tate Page," says Dr. John Bonaguro, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services.

The new building at The Medical Center enables WKU to expand its nursing program . Officials hope it will address a national nursing shortage.

"It's a tremendous impact for the community. Not just The Medical Center but the whole community because we are doubling the number of bachelor prepared students to go into the nursing field. It's going to help all of our health care facilities in this region," says Bonaguro.

And the education benefits go beyond just students. Nursing staff at The Medical Center will now be able to train in a simulation lab.

Life-like mannequins who can do everything from blink to talk will simulate a human patient.

"If we are trying to train our clinical staff on a new neurological procedure or something to do in critical care or in trauma patients, we will be able to simulate that," says Melinda Joyce, Vice President of Corporate Support Services for The Medical Center.

With a scheduled completion of July 31 The Medical Center says staff will be some of the best trained in the area.

"We will have the opportunity to be able to enhance and elevate the strong educational programs we are already doing," says Joyce.

Officials hope that means patients will continue to be under the best care.